July 12th. 1806.
We arrose early and resumed our operations in compleating
our canoes which we completed by 10 A. M. about this time
two of the men whom I had dispatched this morning in quest
of the horses returned with seven of them only. the remaining
ten of our best horses were absent and not to be found. I fear
that they are stolen. I dispatch[ed] two men on horseback in
surch of them. the wind blew so violently that 1 did not think
it prudent to attempt passing the river. at Noon Werner
returned having found three others of the horses near Fort
Mountain Sergt. Gass did not return untill 3 P.M. not having
found the horses. he had been about 8 ms. up Medecine river. I
now dispatched Joseph Fields and Drewyer in quest of them
the former returned at dark unsuccessfull and the latter con
tinued absent all night. at 5 P.M. the wind abated and we
transported our baggage and meat to the opposite shore in our
canoes which we found answered even beyond our expectations.
we swam our horses over also and encamped at sunset. Musquetoes
extreemly troublesome. I think the river is somewhat
higher than when we were here last summer. the present
season has been much more moist than the preceeding one.
the grass and weeds are much more luxouriant than they were
when I left this place on the 13th of July 1805. saw the
brown thrush, pigeons, doves &c. the yellow Currants begining
to ripen.
